Today we’re taking a look at what the Book of Mormon has to say about itself and the claims about its authenticity. We don’t have to go far before discovering a few brow raising verses that should give pause to anyone reading its contents.
Joseph Smith claimed the BoM was the most correct book on earth (History of the Church 4:461) and even today the Church wastes no opportunity to repeat his statement yet they never fail to give excuses as to why outsiders don’t share the same views.
BYU Professor Monte Nyman (1929-2011) was just one of the many who paraded the excuses in the LDS publication June 1984 Ensign. He made the outrageous statement that the most correct book “implies that it may not be absolutely correct”.
With the excuses aside we need to hold strong to the absolutely correct book, that being the word of God. The Bible doesn’t make excuses. God introduces Himself in Genesis 1:1 by revealing what He’s done and through the rest of the Bible He continues to reveal Himself through the covenant relationship He makes with man. We never find one single verse telling us that if the scriptures are wrong it’s because of its author.
God used various authors to write the Bible while allowing their distinct personalities to show forth, but make no mistake my friend, every single word written was placed in the thoughts of the author by God, not man.
In the chart below you’ll see a side-by-side comparison of the contradictory claims made in the Book of Mormon on whether their message is true or not true. Keep in mind this is what the Mormon is supposed to hang their hat on at the end of the day. How could you ever trust this is from God if the authors are saying there might be errors in their message?
Each major author in the BoM stated their writings were true, but simply stating you’re writing scripture and claiming it’s true doesn’t make it so! In addition to the examples below, also see 2 Nephi 33:10-15, Jacob 6:1, 12-13; Ether 5:6, 3 Nephi 8:1 and Mormon 3:14.
Nowhere in the Book of Mormon do we find any evidence this is from God as their writings contradict not only themselves, but the Bible as well. The few examples we’ve listed here provide sufficient evidence none of the authors in the Book of Mormon qualify as a spokesperson for God.
No Worries –
It’s All True |
Um…Not so Fast…
There May Be Some Errors |
1 Nephi 14:30 –
“…if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen.” |
1 Nephi 19:6 –
“…And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself.” |
1 Nephi 22:30 –
“Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true…” |
Alma 10:5 –
“…I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power…” |
Mosiah 1:6 –
“O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true…” |
3 Nephi 8:2 –
“And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this man in the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away…” |
3 Nephi 8:1 –
“And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record— for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus…” |
Mormon 8:12 –
“And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it…” |
Moroni 10:4, 29 –
“…I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth… 29 And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.” |
Mormon 9:31, 33 –
“Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections… 33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.” |
Reblogged this on The Vine Vigil and commented:
Christian workers should not only be aware of the discrepancies between the Koran and the Bible, but also the Book of Mormon, the Talmud, the Apocrypha, and other esoteric texts. We must be equipped to contend for the faith. This chart is excellent!
Amen! While I’m aware it’s impossible for us to know every little detail about false faiths there’s danger in thinking you don’t need to know anything about them. Not knowing the word of God and having it be our meditation day and night is just asking for trouble.
I have several family members that while not Mormon are members of the Community of Christ. I was recently asked by my Aunt to review some of the material from one of their camp meetings. I was astonished by all of the things they try to keep hidden in there doctrines many which are based on Mormon theology.
I had to inform my Aunt that not only was it false but to allow her children to be taught in these camps was incredibly harmful to their faith. Thanks for the information!
Hi mphull –
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment! We wanted to let you know we’re praying for you and your family.
The Community of Christ has only been named as such since 2001 when they changed it from RLDS, aka Reformed LDS Church. It’s the break off church of mainstream Mormonism in Salt Lake City. As you probably know when Joseph Smith was killed in a gunfight in Carthage, IL in 1844, the Church split into many factions and moved their headquarters to Independence, MO.
They do hold to the belief Smith was a true prophet, but after that they’ve rejected all other teachings of mainstream Mormonism.
If/when you’re speaking w/ your family members about Mormon doctrines remember that they reject the majority of Smith’s prophecies stating the mainstream church has misquoted him so much of the Doctrines and Covenants and all of the Pearl of Great Price isn’t used in their canon.
They deny Smith was a polygamist even with the insurmountable evidence stacked against this theory.
Don’t be surprised when/if they state they believe in the Trinity. Smith also taught this view in the beginning years of his work and then about 1839-1840 time frame he bagged that idea and began teaching on men becoming gods.
Keep us updated when you can and let us know how we can pray for you!
In Christ;
Michelle
Reblogged this on Narrow is The Way Ministries and commented:
I’ll be getting to Mormonism in about a month or so, but here’s an excellent chart showing if the Book of Mormon claims to be inspired and correct… or not…
Oh my, I’m sorry I commented before I looked at this sites purpose and some of the articles, so, you probably know about what I mentioned. Forgive me. I’ll be following your site.
Yikes! And you’ll have to forgive me as I just accidentally deleted your other post! That wasn’t on purpose I promise! Please, feel free to repost it it you’d like and I’m gonna keep my finger away from the empty spam file! 😉
Michelle
It’s alright. I was just saying that I grew up in Utah, and had lots of experience talking to Mormons. The BEST resource I’ve found is a book called Mormon Scrapbook, and you can find it, with a lot of other good stuff, here: http://www.utlm.org/booklist/titles/mormonscrapbook_xb240.htm
Good to see you again! Mark Chapman’s book is good but I’m going bold and suggesting our Mentoring Handbook as a great resource too. 😉 http://lifeafterministry.com/mentoring-handbook
Michelle